Hi Zan, I was hoping that you all may be able to present all of the arguments and textual evidence that support the idea that one can hear sounds in the first jhana. Here's an excellent explanation by Geoff Shatz: http://web.archive.org/web/20160306002025/http://measurelessmind.ca/jhana.html http://...

abhabbo diṭṭhisampanno puggalo aṭṭhamaṃ bhavaṃ nibbattetuṃ. One accomplished in view is incapable of undergoing an eighth existence [ bhava ]. (Bodhi) The issue here is "bhava" does not appear to mean "reincarnation"; also "nibbattetuṃ". In the suttas, "bhava" appears to be an "asava" or "defilemen...

Still, I probably might still have reservations about the translation " attention "; unless I can be convinced otherise. My prior impression was 'manas' refers to 'thinking' rather than 'observing' . For now, I might go for the translation of ' proper or thorough examination ', which can incorporat...

Hi DooDoot, The following is an example of yoniso manasikara: As I abided thus, diligent, ardent, and resolute, a thought of sensual desire arose in me. I understood thus: ‘ This thought of sensual desire has arisen in me. This leads to my own affliction, to others’ affliction, and to the affliction...

Thanissaro said it's related to the verb jayati (spelling?) Which means to burn steadily, and used to be used to describe the steady flame of an oil lamp. This doesn't seem so much like bright visual lights when described that way. Yes, indeed. Jhāyati1 [Sk. dhyāyati, dhī ; with dhīra, dhīḥ from di...

Please give me the reference in pali. It has been mentioned that in the commentary to the Abhidhamma Pitaka (Sammohavinodani), the principle of Dependent Origination is shown occurring entirely within the space of one mind moment. http://www.buddhismtoday.com/english/philosophy/thera/002-dependent1...

I'm looking for a sutta which describes the Buddha teaching either Ananda or Sariputta about teaching body contemplation to lay followers because it's easier for them to grasp the meditation object as opposed to contemplation of the mind.

I am lucky I am Bulgarian in that Bulgarian pronunciation is closer to Pāḷi than English, being 'harder'. It's almost the same actually. Yes, quite similar, in Ukrainian as well. The only problem with Pāḷi pronunciation I have is where to put the stress on. I don't think there's a set rule, is ther...

I was wondering if anyone else here is using the Digital Pali Reader program. It works in conjunction with the Firefox browser in offline mode. Learning to use it seems to be quite difficult (at least for me!). I thought that it might be usefull to share tips about how to do things. Nowadays it won...